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Arehart tosses 4 TDs in 37-32 win

Friday, 03 October 2008

By BILL LIERMANN

Sports Writer

It was a happy homecoming outcome for Wilmington High School football fans Friday evening, as the Hurricane won 37-32 over Amelia on the Wilmington College campus.

The victory snapped a five-game losing streak for the ‘Cane, who improved to 2-5 overall and evened their Fort Ancient Valley Conference record to 1-1. Amelia drops to 3-4 overall, and they are also 1-1 in the FAVC.

“I was really proud of the kids, especially the way they were resilient all night long. Really, I felt both teams played very hard, but we were able to make the big plays tonight when we had to, and that was the difference, “said WHS coach Robin Vida following the contest.

Wilmington outgained Amelia in total yards, 389-302. The Barons ran more plays from scrimmage than the Hurricane, 66-41 and the Barons accumulated 20 first downs to the Hurricane’s 15. Both teams were whistled for 10 penalties each, with the Cane flagged for 112 yards and the Barons for 70. The passing game was the difference, as Brandon Arehart completed 12 of 15 attempts for 212 yards and four touchdowns, while Tyler Feine had just one completion in six attempts, for 16 yards.

Next week, Wilmington travels to Kings to face the Knights before returning back to home turf at Wilmington College, hosting Walnut Hills on Oct. 17.

It did not appear in the early going that Wilmington fans would have much to cheer about as the Barons’ Tyler Bartlett returned the opening kickoff 89 yards for a quick 6-0 Amelia lead. The PAT kick was blocked by WHS.

Wilmington answered on the ensuing drive when Arehart hooked up with Quentin Rollins on a 33-yard TD pass to knot the score at 6-6. David Duquette booted the PAT through the uprights to put the ‘Cane on top, 7-6.

The teams traded scores on back-to-back possessions as the Barons’ Donovan Schwalback capped a four-play, 60-yard drive with a one yard run. The two-point attempt on the conversion failed but Amelia pulled ahead, 12-7.

Wilmington, however, regained the lead as Rollins fended off several Amelia tacklers en route to a 43-yard scamper to paydirt and Duquette’s PAT conversion gave WHS a 14-12 lead at the end of the first quarter. Rollins gained 130 yards rushing on 16 carries.

The Hurricane offense erupted for two more first half scores as Arehart connected with Kyle Blakeman on a 39-yard touchdown, then with Nyles Williams on a 17-yard strike. Duquette converted one of the PAT kicks to give the ‘Cane a 27-12 lead which they carried into the locker room.

Amelia got the momentum early in the second half as they recovered an onside kick, and the Hurricane committed a pair of penalties to sustain the drive. The Barons closed the gap to 27-20 when quarterback Feine scored on a four-yard run and Schwalback converted the two-point conversion with 6:12 remaining in the third quarter.

Duquette was successful for WHS on a 23-yard field goal attempt to extend the lead back to 10 points, 30-20, as the ‘Cane capped a 10-play, 50-yard drive. Wilmington maintained that 10-point margin heading into the final quarter.

Amelia would not go away, however, as the Barons put on a 13-play, 52 yard drive early in the final quarter ending with a nine-yard run by Cameron Cooley. Adam Lewis blocked the PAT attempt by Schwalback as the Barons pulled within four points, 30-26.

Wilmington stretched the margin back to 11 points (37-26) with just under 6:30 remaining as Arehart hooked up with Blakeman on a 41-yard touchdown pass and Duquette tacked on the PAT. Blakeman made a circus catch after an Amelia player tipped the ball and Blakeman retrieved the toss with one hand and scampered down the sideline to the endzone. In the game, Blakeman had six catches for 128 yards, to go with his pair of touchdowns.

Amelia came back with one final score when QB Feine took it in from seven yards, but he was stopped short of the goal line on the two-point conversion with 2:18 to play.

As expected, the Barons tried an onside kick but WHS kept control of the pigskin, then killed the clock to preserve its second victory of the season. Vida credited his staff with making the necessary adjustments and his players for not giving in when the Barons made their comeback.

“Everything worked out in our favor tonight. The players came in ready to play; our coaches came prepared with a game plan and everybody came in ready to work. Plus, we had a great crowd tonight and they’ve supported us all season long. I’m glad we were able to reward them with the victory, especially on homecoming, ” Vida said.

SCORING SUMMARY

AHS 12 0 8 12—32

WHS 14 13 3 7—37

First Quarter:

AHS—Bartlett, 89 -yard kickoff return. Schwalbach PAT kick failed (11:48).

WILM—Rollins, 33-yard pass reception from Arehart. PAT kick by Duquette good (10:17).

AHS—Schwalbach, 1-yard run. Cooley rush attempt failed (8:25).

WILM—Rollins, 43-yard run. PAT kick by Duquette good (7:24).

Second Quarter:

WILM—Blakeman, 39-yard reception from Arehart. PAT kick by Duquette good (4:19)

WILM—Williams, 17-yard reception from Arehart. Pat kick blocked ( 00:28)

Third Quarter: